Holger Merlitz has just published a very interesting comparative review (in English) of the Kowa 8,5x44 Prominar XD, the Meopta 8x42 Meostar B1 and the Vortex 8x42 Razor on his website.
http://www.holgermerlitz.de/kowa85x44.html
Interesting test. I am glad to have finally heard more of the Kowa which does not seem to get much mention here on the forum. The Meopta and Razor scored as I would have expected them to. I am glad both are also getting more attention as I think they are both underrated on the net.
John,
Other than you, I and Chartwell not many others have had the privelege of owning and commenting on the Meopta. Maybe now they will deserve further examination from some of the other binocular "collectors". 